We help young South Londoners grow through the power of sport, inspiring them to find a better path in life, for a better life.

Route to Employment

Palace for Life Foundation has strong connections within the local community and businesses and run programmes designed to equip young people with the skills they need to start thinking about their future careers.

Youth unemployment is on the decline but, according to 2017 Labour Market Indications collated by www.data.london.gov.uk, there are over 1100 young people in south London (Croydon, Sutton, Bromley and Lambeth) who are NEET – Not in Education, Employment, or Training. This indicates a great need for programmes to support young people on their route to employment.

Work Ready & Prepared

The Work Ready & Prepared (WRAP) programme combines real life, meaningful work experience with industry specific accreditations and training to prepare young people for the world of work. This comprehensive 15-week study programme is designed to provide a wide-range of opportunities to practice skills within the workplace. If you are 16-18-years-old, motivated, eager and want to gain employability skills, sign up for this programme! Cohorts start in September 2018 and February 2019. To find out more, please complete the short form HERE or contact Susan Patterson Smith on susanpattersonsmith@palaceforlife.org or 07808 322983.

Opportunities for Success

In partnership with Croydon College Palace for Life offers the ‘Opportunities for Success’ Programme for young people aged 16-18 who are unsure about what they want to do with their future. This 10-week, pre-traineeship level course enables young people to explore ideas and helps them identify their strengths to plan for their next move into education or training. The course also helps participants to develop personal and social skills that are important in their future. To book your place click here.

PL Works

Young people aged 16 – 25yrs old can progress onto the Foundation’s ‘flagship’ PL Works Programme to access a range of industry specific skills training, mentoring, personal development and work experiences. Pathways include Sports Coaching, Railway Engineering, Construction & CSCS Card, Hospitality and Creative Media at level 1 or 2.

Palace for Life Foundation also has very good links with departments within Crystal Palace Football Club including catering, hospitality, customer services, security, HR, The Academy and the commercial team. The Foundation also works closely with the customer services manager to support recruitment days and support candidates with preparing for interviews.

Take a look at Angel’s story:

Palace for Life have a good partnership with Hammerson PLC (Croydon Bid), whereby a consortia of housing associations and other organisations commissioned programmes to support the upskilling of local people in preparation for the Westfield’s build and Croydon regeneration. Hammerson PLC have already supported participants on Aspire II, PL Works and CHEP programmes to access mock interviews at their corporate offices in King’s Cross and will continue to do so.

“Local students engaging with the programme from across Croydon have been attending workshops hosted by the Croydon Partnership. The programme gives young people first-hand experience of the world of work and provides an insight into the range of job opportunities. Role-play interviews and practical advice on employability helped students consider the basic skills employers are looking for.” – Susan Patterson-Smith (Deputy Head of Community Development)

Steve Yewman, Development Director at Westfield said:

“Over the years, we have been inspired by the young people we have been able to support as a result of our partnership with the Palace for Life Foundation. We strongly believe in their mission and we are very pleased to be working with a charity that provides an opportunity for young people to further their education and improve their chances of getting into employment. The Croydon Partnership and the Foundation share the same passion for supporting young people, and our renewed commitment ensures that together we can continue to offer this support to those that need it most.”